Blue II "wrote" a blog post on the university's website Thursday, revealing a diagnosis of irreversible heart disease. The bulldog developed Cushing's Disease over the summer, but tests at Purdue University's Small Animal Hospital revealed the heart failure.

"It's maybe a bit ironic for a dog that's been all-heart over the last nine years to develop heart disease, but then again, it's probably no coincidence that my heart has been maxed out," Blue wrote.

Blue II served as Butler's mascot for nine years, becoming a popular fixture at Butler sporting events, including consecutive trips to the NCAA men's basketball championship game. He retired during this past basketball season, handing over the reins to his "brother" Trip, who assumed the title of "Butler Blue III."

"As our coaches often say to the Butler student-athletes, "Leave it all on the field!" I certainly left it all on the field and frankly, I wouldn't change a thing. In fact, I'm not certain there's ever been a dog to live a life as charmed as mine," Blue II wrote in the blog post.

Blue was released from the veterinary clinic to go home with his family, but wrote that it's likely he "won't be back to Butler any time soon."